The role of the microRNA-29 family in osteoarthritis (CLARKIU17ARUK)

During ageing, the failure of physiological mechanisms to maintain cartilage homeostasis leads to an increasing risk of the degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, a leading cause of disability in the UK. There are no effective disease-modifying drugs to treat osteoarthritis and with an ageing population, osteoarthritis is an increasing public health and economic burden with 17 million patients predicted in the UK by 2030.

MicroRNAs, as a class, have been shown to be involved in skeletal development and joint health (Le et al 2013). We have discovered that the microRNA-29 family (miR-29a, b, c) have altered expression in both murine models of osteoarthritis and in human osteoarthritic cartilage. We have shown that the expression of the microRNA-29 family is controlled by key factors known to be involved in osteoarthritis and it modifies a number of important functions in cartilage cells (Le et al 2016).

This PhD studentship now aims to understand the role of the microRNA-29 family in osteoarthritis in vivo, using murine models of osteoarthritis and genetically altered animals (with conditional null mice available).

This studentship is part of a collaboration between UEA and Newcastle University focused on the role of microRNAs in osteoarthritis and the student will have access to expertise on both sites.